Multifunctional bag with wear resistant surface

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional bag that can be used as a duffle bag or a backpack and that can be provided in a variety of different shapes. The multifunctional bag includes a wear resistant surface to protect the bottom of the bag from wear and environmental conditions. The multifunctional bag includes straps that may be positioned on the bag so that the bag may be used as either a duffle bag or backpack depending on the desires of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a bag that has a wear resistant surface and that can function both as a backpack or a duffle bag.

BACKGROUND

Oftentimes, people need to carry items with them from place to place. Backpacks and duffle bags are often used to do this. Backpacks generally work by being positioned around the user's shoulders such that the carried weight is distributed over the user's back. Duffle bags generally have one or two straps which the user holds to support the bag and its contents. These bags are often subjected to abuses that impart wear to the bags, particularly on the surface that is placed on the ground.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described therein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a bag that can function as a backpack or a duffle bag depending on the positioning of the straps. The bag includes a wear resistant surface that aids in limiting wear on the body of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a bag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIG. 1 with optional straps shown in exploded view.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the straps positioned on an embodiment of the bag for use as a duffle bag.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of hooks for detachable straps for use as a backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multifunctional bag 10 that can be used as a duffle bag or as a backpack. The bag 10 has a body that can take the shape of any number of different objects, including but not limited to a shoe (such as a running shoe, see FIG. 1), a half of a basketball, a half of a soccer ball, a half of a football, a half of a baseball, a half of a volleyball, a half of a golf ball, a half of a tennis ball, a hockey puck, etc. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body is formed of two portions—the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12. The upper portion 11 of the body has an underside and forms the interior storage compartment of the bag 10, and the lower portion 12 of the body forms a wear resistant surface that will rest against the floor or the wearers back when worn.

The upper portion 11 of the body is preferably made from a flexible, durable material such as canvas or leather. The upper portion 11 may include a skeleton provided on the inside or outside of the bag that enables the bag to retain the desired bag shape. The internal skeleton can be made of wiring, piping, plastic tubing, or any other suitable material. The upper portion 11 of the body can also be made of any material suitable for the intended use of the bag 10, including more rigid materials (e.g., rigid polymeric materials) that inherently retain the desired bag shape.

An opening 17 (or multiple openings) may be provided on the upper portion 11 of the body to permit the user access to the interior compartment of the body. The opening(s) 17 may be provided at any location on the upper portion 11. The opening(s) 17 can be securely closed by any mechanical fastening means, such as, but not limited to, a zipper 14, a hook and loop fastener, a shoe lace 16, a magnet, a drawstring, a strap, a latch, etc. The bag 10 may also have any number of compartments or pockets 13 located on the exterior or interior of the bag.

The lower portion 12 of the body is provided on the bag below the upper portion and forms a wear resistant surface 15. In some embodiments, the lower portion 12 is formed of a durable material that resists wear (e.g., scratches, scuffing, etc.) and environmental conditions (e.g., rain). Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, rubber, foam, etc. Provision of a durable lower portion 12 on the bag 10 enables the bag to be made from softer, more flexible materials that inherently are not able to resist wear and environmental conditions.

The lower portion 12 may be formed separately from the upper portion 11 and subsequently attached to the underside of the upper portion 11, such as via adhesive, stitching, etc. In such instances, the lower portion 12 may be permanently attached to the underside of the upper portion 11, or, alternatively, the lower portion 12 may be removable from the underside of the upper portion 11 such that different upper portions 11 and lower portions 12 may be mixed and matched together. In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion 12 can be formed directly on the underside of the upper portion 11, such as by coating the lower portion 12 onto the underside of the upper portion 11. Regardless, the lower portion 12 forms a protective liner or wear resistant surface on the bottom of the bag 10.

In some embodiments, the wear resistant surface 15 of the lower portion 12 is a relatively flat surface so that the bag 10 can rest flat on a surface or against the wearer's back. The wear resistant surface 15 of the lower portion 12 can be smooth 18, can bear one or more textures or patterns (such as a treaded pattern 19 akin to that of a running shoe), or can have a combined smooth and patterned surface.

Any number of straps 20 may be attached to the bag 10 to allow the bag 10 to be used as a duffle bag or as a backpack. See FIGS. 3 and 4. The straps 20 may be permanently attached to the bag 10 via adhesive, stitching, etc. or they may be detachable so the user can move them to various locations on the bag 10.

In one embodiment, the bag 10 includes any number of attachment features, and the straps 20 include engagement features that engage the attachment features to secure the straps 20 on the bag 10. By way only of example, the bag 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 includes a number of hooks 23 and the ends of the straps 20 include clips 21 that engage the hooks 23 to retain the straps 20 on the bag 10. In this way, the straps 20 may be removed from the bag 10 and secured at different locations on the bag 10. The hooks 23 may be made of any material such as metal or plastic.

In one illustrated embodiment (see FIGS. 3 and 5), the hooks 23 are D-hooks provided on the wear resistant surface 15 of the lower portion 12 of the bag 10. Four hooks 23 are provided, but any number could be provided. Once hooked to the lower portion 12, the straps 20 may be placed around the user's shoulder for use as a backpack, with the lower wear surface 15 of the lower portion 12 adjacent the wearer's back.

While straps attached to hooks 23 provided on the lower portion 12 could be used to carry the bag 10 as a duffle bag, hooks or other attachment features could be provided at different or other locations on the bag 10, for example on the upper portion 11 of the bag 10. To use the bag 10 as a duffle bag, the straps 20 are extended upwardly from the bag 10. A fastening device 22 that wraps around the straps to hold the straps together may also be provided. For example, the device 22 may be detachably secured to itself (such as via a hook and loop fastener) to hold the straps together and also permit their separation from each other.

While two straps are shown, any number of straps may be used. Moreover, the straps may be stored within the bag 10 or within a pocket 13 provided on the bag, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Having the lower portion 12 be formed of a durable material provides multiple beneficial features. It protects the bag 10 from environmental conditions and potential wear, such as water or scratches, while still allowing the material of the bag 10 to maintain a level of flexibility.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A bag comprising: (a) a body having a shape and comprising: an upper portion defining an interior compartment of the bag and having an lower side; an opening defined in the upper portion to permit access to the interior compartment; and a lower portion positioned on the upper portion so as to cover the underside of the upper portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a wear resistant surface; and (b) at least one strap provided on the body that enables the bag to be worn by a wearer as a backpack with the wear resistant surface of the lower portion adjacent the wearer's back and carried as a duffle bag that can be set with the wear resistant surface of the lower portion contacting the ground.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises canvas or leather.
 3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises an internal skeleton that helps to retain the shape of the body.
 4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the lower portion comprises rubber.
 5. The bag of claim 4, wherein the lower portion comprises a rubber coating on the underside of the upper portion.
 6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is permanently attached to the upper portion.
 7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is removably attached to the upper portion.
 8. The bag of claim 1, wherein the shape of the body comprises: (a) a half of a football; (b) a half of a soccer ball; (c) a half of a tennis ball; (d) a half of a baseball; (e) a half of a basketball; (f) a half of a volleyball; (g) a half of a golf ball; (h) a hockey puck; or (i) a shoe.
 9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the upper portion further comprises a pocket located on an outer surface of the upper portion.
 10. The bag of claim 1, wherein the wear resistant surface of the lower portion comprises a smooth surface.
 11. The bag of claim 1, wherein the wear resistant surface of the lower portion of the body comprises a patterned surface.
 12. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap is permanently attached to the body.
 13. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap is removably attached to the body.
 14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the at least one strap is detachable from a first location on the body and re-attachable to a second location on the body.
 15. The bag of claim 14, wherein the first location is on the lower portion and the second location is on the upper portion.
 16. The bag of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises at least one hook onto which the at least one strap is attached.
 17. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap comprises two straps that extend upwardly from the body in the direction of the upper portion of the body.
 18. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap comprises two straps that extend downwardly from the body in the direction of the lower portion of the body. 